The Robert Bourassa reservoir at LG2.
« Eeyou » is the Cree word to designate Cree and « Istchee » means land or territory. We chose to call this post « Eeyou Istchee » because this week we visited parts of the Cree territory that are important for the people of Chisasibi and that have been impacted by governmental development projects.
It’s been another busy report-writing week. We’re finishing up our conclusions and are jumping into our recommendations and intervention plans. We’re getting there! Apart from the reports, we are also working on other cases in parallel. Leah is working on language development goals for a consultation in Waskaganish, another Cree community south of Chisasibi. Alex is working on choosing the vocabulary to include in a client’s alternative communication device and developing creative ways to explain the process to her client.
Leah’s parents came to visit and we tagged along on their tours!
We visited the Robert Bourassa (also known as LG2) hydroelectric facility, which is the biggest electric plant in the La Grande complex. The La Grande complex includes 7 plants at various points along the La Grande river. LG2 was the first project and was put in service in 1979.
No photography is permitted inside the plant… this is the closest we got!
The famous spill way, called “The Giant’s Staircase”
When the Quebec government came up with the hydroelectric development plan, the Cree people were opposed to the project because it involved flooding large parts of their hunting grounds, affecting their traditional way of living. The Cree then initiated what would be a long juridical battle for their rights to the land to be recognized and respected. The James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement was signed in 1975.
The Robert Bourassa reservoir lies on top of territory that was originally Cree hunting land.
If you are interested in learning more on the matter, you can watch the series of documentaries Together we stand firm, Delivering the promise, and We rise up on the Grand Cree Council’s website: http://www.gcc.ca/together-we-stand-firm/
We also visited Fort George Island, which is where the community was originally located. Chisasibi was established in 1978. From 1978 to 1980 about 200 houses and one of the churches were moved by boat to the present location.
Most people from the community have a cabin on the island. Our friends were preparing their cabins for the Mamoweedow, a yearly week-long gathering on the island. We visited them and got a tour around the island in the back of their pick-up truck.
We got to see the sunset on James Bay before returning to the ferry on time! Looking forward to returning to Fort George for the Mamoweedow!!
Speech-Language Pathology in Chisasibi 